Episode Summary

In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney kick off Season 4 by revisiting one of the most transformative tournaments in modern football history: Germany at the 2006 World Cup.

With the nation in crisis after years of decline, Klinsmann returned from his Californian beach life to reinvent the German national team. Embracing sports science, fitness, psychology, and attacking football, he turned a struggling, dour side into a vibrant and fearless squad that captured the imagination of fans worldwide.

From the thrilling quarter-final win over Argentina to the heartbreaking semi-final defeat against Italy, this was more than a football journey — it was a cultural shift. The “Sommermärchen” (Summer Fairytale) redefined Germany’s relationship with its team, its fans, and its footballing identity. And, as Graham and Jamie argue, Klinsmann’s revolution paved the way for Germany’s eventual World Cup triumph in 2014.

Takeaways

• Jürgen Klinsmann’s radical overhaul of German football philosophy
• How Germany became the “people’s team” at their home World Cup
• Key matches: the Argentina shootout & Italy semi-final heartbreak
• The birth of the “Summer Fairytale” and its cultural significance
• Why Klinsmann’s 2006 blueprint shaped Germany’s 2014 World Cup win

Call to Action

Listen now and relive the World Cup where Jürgen Klinsmann reinvented Germany — and sparked a footballing renaissance that changed the game forever.

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By Far The Greatest Team – Season 3 Finale: Promotion, Relegation... or Redemption?

After almost 40 teams, countless debates, and one mighty spreadsheet of footballing history, Graham and Jamie return to the boardroom of greatness for the Season 3 Finale — and this time, they’re not alone.

Joined by returning favourites Phil Craig and Declan Clark, the team reopens the case files on every single squad ranked this season. From the peaks of Real Madrid 1954–60 and Santos 1960–65, to cult curiosities like Dallas Tornado and Greece 2004 — it’s time to ask: did we get it right?

In this bumper episode, the panel debates who deserves promotion, who’s due relegation, and who should remain exactly where history placed them. But expect controversy, chaos, and possibly a call for a playoff…

Takeaways:

• 🏆 Reassessing greatness: What defines it — style, trophies, legacy, or vibes?
• 🇬🇷 Greece 2004: Functional football or miracle of the millennium?
• 🏴 England 1990: Gazza’s tears, Robson’s tactics, and the power of nostalgia.
• ⚫️⚪️ Kilmarnock, Dundee Utd, Newcastle & Blackburn: Forgotten forces or rightly remembered?
• 🎬 From the Arsenal Stadium Mystery to the Dallas Tornado — football meets folklore.
• ⚖️ Blinkered Greats, Edge of Greatness, All-Time Legends — who shifts tier?

Is it time to rewrite football history once again?

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📢 Have your say: Let us know on social — did we get the final table right?

#ByFarTheGreatestTeam #FootballHistory #S3Finale #PodcastPromotion #Greece2004 #England1990 #SantosFC #RealMadrid #BlackburnRovers #BlinkeredGreats #CultTeams #AllTimeGreats

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Was Bobby Robson’s England side of 1990 the team that changed everything?
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, Graham and Jamie are joined by former MIrror Sports reporter and fan-on-the-ground Steve Double to relive the emotional rollercoaster of Italia ’90 — England’s iconic run to the World Cup semi-finals.

Through a mix of personal stories, cultural reflections, and football insight, we explore what made this tournament – and this team – so unforgettable. From David Platt’s last-gasp volley to Gazza’s tears, from chaotic ticket scrambles to the heartbreak of penalties in Turin, this episode captures the spirit of one of England’s most mythologised teams.

Takeaways:

• Behind-the-scenes fan stories from inside stadiums and outside the system
• Bobby Robson’s tactical evolution and leadership under pressure
• The emotional legacy of Paul Gascoigne and the softening of British football masculinity
• The role of Nessun Dorma, mullets, and Pretty Woman in defining an era
• Why England 1990 became the template for national team redemption narratives
• Was this really the greatest team England never had… or the one that changed everything?

Whether you lived it or just know the VHS tape, this is the story of England 1990 — as seen, sung, and suffered by those who were there.

🎧 Listen now and join the debate: Was this Bobby Robson’s greatest legacy.

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